2018 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 440 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 10, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Campaign 23V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, steering wheel/handle barMar 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Campaign 18V167000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2023
The contact’s son owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. Additionally, the mileage had exceeded any extended warranty coverage. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who after 3 days diagnosed and determined there was coolant intrusion into cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact spoke with the dealer and was informed that the failure was a known issue; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated with the engine temperature gauge showing that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to misfire. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The contact stated he added coolant to the coolant reservoir. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the hub gasket was leaking coolant fluid into the engine, causing the engine to overheat. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine cylinders. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The manufacturer later was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The consumer stated the vehicle had a coolant leak in the engine which caused corrosion and other damage to the engine.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder with a large cloud of bluish smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle was also shuddering and idling rough when started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic retrieved DTC: P0304 and determined that there had been a misfire in cylinder #4. The dealer recommended that the spark plugs be replaced, and the fuel system cleaned. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred and returned the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed and found that coolant had intruded into the engine block and recommended that the engine be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,556. The consumer stated the vehicle is no longer in her possession.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, she observed that a cloud of white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled; however, the engine started to misfire, and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that a message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had intruded into cylinders #1, #2, and #3. The dealer determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 - Coolant Intrusion (Engine and Engine Cooling) and that the repair had been a one-time free repair. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that engine coolant had leaked into the cylinder #3, causing severe damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was no longer eligible for the Extended Warranty Coverage. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Mar 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a sound of liquid present inside the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that engine coolant was present inside the engine cylinders and the engine short block needed to be placed. The engine short block was replaced but later the vehicle began to drive sluggishly and would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed accelerator and the vehicle continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that she observed a large cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was blinking off and on. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that coolant had leaked into the engine block. The manufacturer had issued a Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12 (Engine and Engine Cooling), however the vehicle no longer qualified for the program. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated with a message stating "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" displayed. Additionally, the engine sputtered while the vehicle was being started and there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant was leaking into cylinder #1, causing damage to the engine long block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2022
Ford issued a recall in 2020 for my car for coolant leaks. My vehicle was under warranty at the time (28k miles), and in the same week had white smoke emissions, engine stalling on the interstate and overheating in idle. The smoke never went away even after extensive, month long repair. The vehicle again had the same issues in august 2020 (76k miles), taken to Ford dealership with $3,000 in out of pocket expense. It is now March 2022 (82k miles) and my vehicle is still showing signs of coolant leak with no help from any Ford dealership.